The 23-year old All-Star played 44 minutes, but says that’s no excuse for his late-game struggles.

Per ESPN:

“The shots I was taking, especially down the stretch, they were fatigued shots,” Irving said following shootaround Wednesday. “It just wasn’t in the flow of our offense. Regardless of if I’m hot or not or Bron’s hot or not, it’s just the guys out on there on the floor, I just have to make better decisions — whether it’s going to be making one of my teammates better or me taking a shot.

“Whether it’s tough or not, I just have to be well prepared, especially in the fourth quarter when things get a little bit more tough, just got to be resilient and prepared with my body. To get fatigued in the fourth quarter, and it’s the playoffs, guys can get tired or whatever but it’s not necessarily an excuse for myself and I’ve just got to be better.”

He led the Cavs in minutes played, logging 44 out of a possible 48. […] “I’m willing to play as many minutes as I can, fatigued or not,” Irving said. “Whatever it takes to win.”